INTRODUCTION

   Although small and large audio manufacturers have focused most of their resources over the years in the design and development of wired and wireless headsets and speaker systems (as expected all the high-end models are by such manufacturers) it took a while for most of them to enter the gaming peripherals market. As a matter of fact it wasn't until rather recently that we saw the first gaming headsets and speaker systems by audio manufacturers (some of which have really stood out) designed for PC and console users. Sure the gaming peripherals market is still dominated by established gaming brands like Razer, ASUS, Logitech, HyperX and others but that doesn't seem to discourage audio manufacturers since more and more launch their very own gaming headsets and speaker systems. Teufel also entered the gaming peripherals market last year and the CAGE which we have here today is their very first wired gaming headset.

   Teufel is among the largest German manufacturers of audio products. The company’s product portfolio extends from hi-fi, home cinema and multimedia systems to headphones, portable Bluetooth speakers and Wi-Fi streaming systems using proprietary Raumfeld technology. The company was founded in 1980 as a dealer in loudspeaker components and has grown into Europe’s #1 direct seller of audio products. Since its founding, Teufel has stayed apace of audio trends from stereo and home cinema to portable solutions and multiroom audio. Throughout, good sound remains the company’s top priority. Countless positive user reviews as well as awards from audio and technical journals underscore Teufel’s commitment to quality. Teufel Audio products are exclusively available via direct sale.

   If you're into audio then chances are Teufel is a name you've heard off before so when they announced the CAGE Gaming Headset last year we reached out to them to check it out. Well it did take a while for a sample to reach our lab but it was certainly worth the wait since the CAGE turned out to be a very interesting 7.1 virtual surround sound gaming headset. It features two 40mm mylar drivers (20Hz-20KHz frequency response with 32Ohm impedance and 86dB sensitivity) which Teufel has paired with an integrated XEAR 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound USB sound card made by C-Media so you can use the headset both with both USB (PC/PlayStation 4/Xbox) and 3.5mm (PC/smartphones/tablets) compatible devices. The CAGE also features not one but two HD microphones for the best possible sound quality, a detachable boom microphone which can be mounted either on the left or right of the headset and one located at the front of one of the earcups which is used for intelligent echo cancellation.